He is the Indian cricket captain, and one of the better ones in history. Yet, his name is being bandied around in the Supreme Court for reasons not befitting his position. He's won two ICC world cups, one Champions Trophy and is on course to challenging for another world cup. So, would it not be prudent to give up his association with all who are tainted, be it the 'company' or the captaincy of the Chennai Super Kings?

His name was mentioned in court by the petitioner's counsel, Harish Salve, for providing false evidence. The BCCI's counsel defended Dhoni staunchly, calling Salve's allegations reckless and baseless. Salve countered saying that he was only quoting from the committee's report, and that if his allegations are baseless, then the committee's report is baseless.

Dhoni is a national icon, probably the most recognisable after Sachin Tendulkar. He is 'captain cool' and the 'messiah' India has turned to for major trophies. That his name was mentioned in the Mudgal Committee report sullies this image. News channels debated whether his position was untenable on the day of the Supreme Court hearing.

Many questioned why Dhoni did what he did and said what he said to the Mudgal Committee. This brings me back to my original contention—an Indian captain should not be involved in such controversy. It is a powerful position in our cricket-crazed country and Dhoni needs to be aware of the sanctity of being captain of the Indian team.

We need him for cricket. We need Dhoni to lead the side in the ODI world cup in Australia and New Zealand for us to have a realistic chance of defending the trophy.

During a world cup, when his concentration should be on the game, this pressure, which to some extent he has brought upon himself, is clearly unwarranted. We need the Indian captain to focus on the job of winning the T20 World Cup for India.

Everything else, which includes captaining a franchise in a domestic competition, is irrelevant. We need the Indian captain to be in the best frame of mind in the most crucial stage of the competition. If that involves giving up on a job and captaincy of his franchise, so be it. The BCCI is the custodian of Indian cricket and MS Dhoni is its best brand. We cannot let that brand be tarnished beyond repair.

The BCCI's counsel has already told the media that he will submit the conversation between the Mudgal Committee and Dhoni to the Supreme Court on 16 April, when the case comes up for hearing again. Only then will we know what exactly was said.